As promised, here is the revised Top 50 Under 25 list that we initially published back in early January for Keeper/Dynasty leagues. Since we don’t cover much here in this column dealing with keeper or dynasty leagues, we figured this would be the most beneficial manner to toss something out there in a fairly simple manner. Also I’m told everyone loves a list. Not that you were anyway, because you’re much smarter than that, but don’t pay too much attention to the ranking number. It’s a highly convoluted process with attempting to mix current production with future projection along with other factors such as basic stat categories, age in relation to similar value players, and future playing time and line-mates for the younger less established players. Tie-breakers were awarded to players with an age advantage and/or those who are more likely to hold multi-positional eligibility.

As a reminder, as with almost everything we do here, these are penned with standard stat category leagues in mind. That means 6×4 or 5×4 fantasy hockey leagues that use the basic stat categories that usually include Goals, Assists, Plus/Minus, PPP and either (or both) PIMs or Shorthanded Points on the offensive side and Wins, GAA, SV% and Shutouts on the goalie side.

The Chicago Blackhawks returned to the United Center for the first time in 2014, hosting the San Jose Sharks for the second time this season. The Hawks rallied from a goal down in the third period Sunday but ultimately fell to the Sharks 3-2 in a shootout.

San Jose elected to start backup goalie Alex Stalock after Antti Niemi had a rough afternoon in Colorado Saturday. Stalock stopped 33 of 35 shots as well as both Chicago shootout attempts to pick up the win.

First Period– However, it was Hawks starter Corey Crawford who provided the first real scoring opportunity in the fourth minute. The Sharks Justin Braun picked off Crawford’s pass at the right circle but his shot struck the right post.Continue reading »

After a lengthy film session in Denver University on Wednesday morning and a “back to basics” practice on Thursday in California, the Chicago Blackhawks were back on the ice Friday night in San Jose trying to snap a six game losing streak.

The film session took place in a theatre that had the perfect set up to run through game tape of their 5-2 loss to the Avalanche on Tuesday night. The session took longer than normal, but at this stage the Hawks were attempting anything to break this streak. After travelling to San Jose and took to the ice to practice “hockey 101”. If the current six game losing streak wasn’t enough, the flu bug was also flying around the locker room as four Hawk players took the day off practice. Steve Montador was also missing from practice, but it was not due to the flu. Monty suffered an upper body injury during the game on Tuesday and was placed on Injured Reserve Friday morning. Dylan Olsen was recalled from the IceHogs to replace the injured Montador. To rub more salt in the wound, Niklas Hjalmarsson, who originally had the flu, was then diagnosed with an upper body injury. Both Nik and Monty flew back to Chicago and will not be playing Saturday night in Phoenix either. Continue reading »